7/26/2013 |
Franklin showing surprising power at secondWhen Mariners rookie Nick Franklin ripped his eighth home run of the season in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Twins, he became just the second American League second baseman in the past 75 years with eight or more homers in the first 50 games of his career.

7/26/2013 |
Ackley starting to heat up at the plateDustin Ackley has seen a dramatic rise in his batting results since the All-Star break, with the young center fielder hitting .421 in his last six starts going into Friday's game against the Twins.

7/26/2013 |
Mauer now expected to return on TuesdayThe Twins will be without their best player for a little longer, as Joe Mauer has decided to delay returning to the club after the birth of his twin girls until the team's series opener against Kansas City on Tuesday.

7/26/2013 |
Mastroianni, Ramirez continue steady progressThe Twins got a little closer to receiving some help in the outfield on Friday, as it was announced that Darin Mastroianni and Wilkin Ramirez will take another step on the road to recovering from their respective injuries.

7/26/2013 |
Hot-hitting Robinson draws another startShane Robinson drew another starting assignment on Friday, making this the fourth time in the team's last five games that Robinson has been in the lineup.

7/26/2013 |
Forsythe staying positive despite slumpPadres infielder Logan Forsythe went into Friday's game against the D-backs hitting .105 in 46 plate appearances in July, but he's not about to let his struggles affect his confidence as he tries to get back on track.

7/26/2013 |
Padres have come out swinging after no-noThe San Diego Padres have a team batting average of .305 and have scored 45 runs in eight games since being no-hit by Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum on July 13 at Petco Park.

7/26/2013 |
Brewers eye turnaround behind GorzelannyLooking for a turnaround after a rough week, the Brewers send Tom Gorzelanny to the hill on Saturday to oppose Collin McHugh, making his Rockies debut.

7/26/2013 |
'Good learner' Grifol takes over as hitting coachHall of Famer George Brett stepped down as interim hitting coach on Thursday after nearly two months on the job. Pedro Grifol, who came in with Brett as a special assignments coach, is stepping in.

7/26/2013 |
Cards to call on Lyons for Tuesday's doubleheaderWith the flexibility to add an extra player to the roster for next Tuesday's doubleheader, the Cardinals are expected to summon left-hander Tyler Lyons from Triple-A to make a spot start in one of the two games. An official announcement will be made closer to the date.

7/26/2013 |
Bullpen sports special, Hochevar-designed T-shirtsDesigned by Luke Hochevar, the relievers have T-shirts that, on the front side, have caricatures based on their distinctive facial or cranial hair styles, with the words, "GET IT." On the back is the image of closer Greg Holland, with the words, "TO THIS GUY."

7/26/2013 |
Royals don't elect anyone to team's Hall of FameNobody came close to getting the required 75 percent of the votes cast by the 19 living Hall of Fame members, media members, Royals front-office staff and fans via online voting. Outfielder Bo Jackson was the top vote-getter.

7/26/2013 |
Limping Kemp hopeful for Aug. 6 return from DLMatt Kemp told the Dodgers his sprained left ankle is feeling better, but the center fielder still had a noticeable limp on Friday and has not yet resumed baseball-related activities.

7/26/2013 |
Schumaker dekes Choo into out at secondDodgers infielders Skip Schumaker and Hanley Ramirez could have a future in Hollywood after showing off their acting talents in Thursday's game against the Reds.

7/26/2013 |
Phils try to snap skid without Lee against ScherzerThe Phillies have scored only 10 runs during their six-game losing streak. They'll have a challenge to snap out of it, as Max Scherzer will get the nod for the Tigers opposite Raul Valdes, filling in for an injured Cliff Lee on Saturday at Comerica Park.

7/26/2013 |
Decisions on lefties prove right behind strong FisterDoug Fister has been one of the best second-half pitchers in baseball for the past two seasons. He's proving they were no fluke, as he allowed only three hits in eight innings of the Tigers' 2-1 win against the Phillies on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Comerica Park.

7/26/2013 |
Weiss, Rockies hope to end homestand strongFive games behind the red-hot Dodgers entering play Friday, the Rockies are still in contention in the NL West, and they hope to finish up this homestand strong after dropping three games to Miami.

7/26/2013 |
Schafer, B.J. Upton test out leg injuriesInjured outfielders B.J. Upton and Jordan Schafer both felt comfortable enough to take the field before Friday's game and test out their respective leg injuries.

7/26/2013 |
CarGo expects to play with pain through seasonRockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez said he expects to play through pain for the remainder of the season after aggravating a middle finger sprain in his right hand in his first at-bat Thursday.

7/26/2013 |
Valdes set to start for Lee, scratched with stiff neckThe Phillies announced Friday night that left-hander Cliff Lee will not start Saturday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park because of a stiff neck. Left-hander Raul Valdes will take the mound instead.